Nomad & Ultra Ride on Irish Country Roads

[Caddyman]

I took this video yesterday when I had to go to Longford on business and my friend called over on his Suzuki GS850 and said he would go for the ride so I thought he may as well ride the Nomad since I am giving him the lend of it to ride to the www.irelandbikefest.com which is on at the end of this week. I just fitted new Michelin Commander ll's to the Ultra and apart from the ride home from the garage where they were fitted this was my first ride with them and I am very impressed to say the least! I don't think they are made yet for the Nomad but if and when they do it would be a great option especially as they are claiming that they will do up to 25,000 miles on the rear tyre?



The video is available in HD. Its very long I know but if you just want to see the Nomad you can see it passing me at the 19 minute mark.
The roads were great and fairly tested the tyres of both bikes. The Nomad has a new set of Avon Venoms btw.

[ringadingh]

It looks like you have some nice roads there, I like that you still have the Ont plates on the bike.
Where abouts did you live when you were here?

[Caddyman]

Originally Posted by ringadingh

It looks like you have some nice roads there, I like that you still have the Ont plates on the bike.
Where abouts did you live when you were here?

I just stayed with family in Toronto and registered the bike there. I have it here since October and all duties & taxes are paid but I haven't collected the number plate yet but I should have it home with me this evening.
Glad you liked the roads, I must post a small video (5-10 mins) of some of the very twisty roads we have around here, some of them would test any rider of any bike!

[Loafer]

The roads and scenery in the video are very similar to a lot of the roads I've been on in New England.
BTW my stomach turned every time there was an oncoming vehicle. Not used to the left lane traveling.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by Loafer

The roads and scenery in the video are very similar to a lot of the roads I've been on in New England.
BTW my stomach turned every time there was an oncoming vehicle. Not used to the left lane traveling.

Me either. It's disorienting. 34 minutes too? Need to pick up the pace... :)

[Caddyman]

Originally Posted by ponch

Me either. It's disorienting. 34 minutes too? Need to pick up the pace... :)

The trip took about 2 & a 1/2 hours including stopping for lunch on the way over but without stops its 1 & a 1/2 hours and its only 94 km which is only about 58 miles! Its just the roads are difficult to pass anything on and then you dare not speed as you could come around a corner doing 60/70 mph and find a tractor doing 15 mph pulling a trailer and then you'd be DEAD late!
34 Mins for the video is far too long but as I uploaded it last night after a few brewskies I think that might be something to do with it

[ponch]

Originally Posted by Caddyman

The trip took about 2 & a 1/2 hours including stopping for lunch on the way over but without stops its 1 & a 1/2 hours and its only 94 km which is only about 58 miles! Its just the roads are difficult to pass anything on and then you dare not speed as you could come around a corner doing 60/70 mph and find a tractor doing 15 mph pulling a trailer and then you'd be DEAD late!
34 Mins for the video is far too long but as I uploaded it last night after a few brewskies I think that might be something to do with it

There are roads like that in Iowa, except they don't have a lot of turns and bends. Some of the farm equipment can be as big as a house.

[redjay]

Riding in the U.K and Ireland hones the motorcycling skills.
Much more difficult than North America. Most of the time you never know whether you are going north south east or west.
The farmers fields were there long before vehicles were invented and you have to find a way around them !!!

[Caddyman]

Originally Posted by ponch

There are roads like that in Iowa, except they don't have a lot of turns and bends. Some of the farm equipment can be as big as a house.

As big as a house, some of those babies are as big as a block of apartments! Ha Ha....

[Caddyman]

Originally Posted by redjay

Riding in the U.K and Ireland hones the motorcycling skills.
Much more difficult than North America. Most of the time you never know whether you are going north south east or west.
The farmers fields were there long before vehicles were invented and you have to find a way around them !!!

The farmers

You got that right! I remember a cousin of mine from South Africa travelling with me many years ago in a car along a country road at night with high hedges and he was terrified as he thought we were going to crash at every bend. He couldn't believe I was looking at the tops of the hedges for the lights of cars coming in the other direction to adjust my braking etc
A good sense of direction is a must in Ireland as road signs are in scarce supply, either that or a good Garmin!

The farmers don't take any prisoners either so if you don't keep your eyes on the road and a tractor pulls out of a field right onto the road in front of you then its "Goodbye Mr. Chips"!

[ringadingh]

Caddt; If your ever back in Toronto for a visit, give me a call.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by Caddyman

The farmers

You got that right! I remember a cousin of mine from South Africa travelling with me many years ago in a car along a country road at night with high hedges and he was terrified as he thought we were going to crash at every bend. He couldn't believe I was looking at the tops of the hedges for the lights of cars coming in the other direction to adjust my braking etc
A good sense of direction is a must in Ireland as road signs are in scarce supply, either that or a good Garmin!

The farmers don't take any prisoners either so if you don't keep your eyes on the road and a tractor pulls out of a field right onto the road in front of you then its "Goodbye Mr. Chips"!

The farmers are the same here.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by Caddyman

As big as a house, some of those babies are as big as a block of apartments! Ha Ha....

And when they come down the road taking up one shoulder and both lanes, there are choices to be made.

[Caddyman]

Just home from a ride on the Nomad where I was delivering free tickets to a vintage & classic car show to householders that will be effected by the traffic on the day. I am on the committee and its one of my jobs. I took the Nomad as it was a stop start exercise delivering 50+ envelopes to the houses on the road that are effected by the show and as it was a humid evening I wanted as much wind blowing on me as possible so I didn't want the Ultra for this mission. The whole point of my ramble is that I have decided that I like the Nomad more than the Ultra as I believe it has a real soul!..........Does this sound weird? ...............The Ultra is a fantastic bike don't get me wrong but it seems to lack a certain something that the Nomad has in spades! .......Anyway just my obversation..........

[ringadingh]

I nknow what you mean Caddy, perhaps the Ultra will grow on you more over time.